Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey


A reading of Juno and the Paycock, by Sean O'Casey

I read Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey today. I have read this play four or five times, but probably not in the last ten years ago or so. I have only seen this once - in 1975 in Los Angeles with Walter Matthau as Boyle, Jack Lemon as Joxer and Maureen Stapleton as Juno. It was a terrific production, with several moments that still are clear in my memory.
This play sucks us in by playing on lovable rogue Irish stereotypes - we like Boyle who avoids work, drinks and pals around with Joxer. At first, it looks like a sitcom - they inherit money and act like they have become something, but then it all turns dark - they don't get the money, their son is taken out and shot for giving up one of his friends to the police, their daughter Mary is pregnant and abandoned. When Boyle self righteously turns against her, Juno realizes he is selfish and weak, and leaves him.

Posted: Tue - February 3, 2004 at 08:32 PM          

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